PINK WILD FLOWERS 
violet-tipped stamens, five of which are shorter than 
the rest, surround a slender, five-pointed, green pistil. 
This remarkable pistil grows an inch or more in 
length, and as the fruit matures, it suddenly splits 
upward from the base in five recurved parts, snapping 
the seeds sharply in various directions. This is one 
way in which the plants spread and increase by their 
own effort. The shape of this curious pistil created 
. the name of Crane’s-bill. Geranium is the Greek word 
for crane, and maculatum alludes to the peculiar white 
spots and blotches so often found on the leaves. The 
calyx is five-parted, and hairy. Each part or sepal 
terminates with a sharp, bristling point. The single 
stalk branches at the union of a pair of short-stemmed 
leaves, and each of the several branches is often 
forked, causing the flowers to occur very commonly 
in pairs. The grooved stalk is stout-fibred, and rises 
a foot or two in height. Excepting the petals, the 
entire plant is covered with minute, whitish hairs. 
The large, spreading, coarsely veined leaf is deeply 
divided into three or more, usually five, sections, 
each of which is again cleft into three more or less 
sharply notched lobes. The basal leaves are long- 
stemmed. The general colour is a medium light green 
above, and of a lighter shade on the under side. In 
autumn they turn to a brilliant scarlet, and are par- 
ticularly attractive. The Crane’s-bill is very touchy, 
and wilts hopelessly almost as soon as picked. The 
flowers are very fragile, and the petals usually drop 
away upon the slightest provocation. The thick, 
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